The second and fourth Wednesdays in the Pacific Daily News, Giana Santos writes Wellness Wednesdays, a column offering suggestions to live a balanced lifestyle. Giana is the health educator and nutrition counselor at TakeCare. She is also a certified nutrition and wellness consultant and is a credentialed indigenous lactation counselor. Giana’s most recent columns are below and linked to the original columns at guampdn.com.

Question? Contact Giana at: giana.santos@takecareasia.com.

Things you need to know about allergy
May 13, 2026 - May is recognized as Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. This month aligns with the spring or peak allergy season on the mainland when the flowers are blooming and the pollen is floating in the wind. Guam, however, pollen season is year round. The rain is also pretty regular year round, which means that pollen is not as big of a threat as other allergens. An allergy happens when your immune system mistakes a usually harmless substance for a threat. The body’s response can range from a mild skin rash to a life-threatening emergency called anaphylaxis. The severity of an allergic reaction caused by an allergen varies from person to person.

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Is your chair making you sick?
May 27, 2026 - You didn't sign up for a health risk when you took the office job. But sitting for eight hours a day is one of the quietest threats to your body and your mind. Most people never think twice about it. Doctors and fitness experts agree: the human body was not designed for stillness. Muscles weaken. Blood pools in the legs. Circulation slows. Over time, prolonged sitting raises the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and back problems. For office workers, it also quietly fuels anxiety and depression. A sedentary workday drains mental energy and worsens mood. The connection between a still body and a foggy mind is real. The good news is that small changes during the workday add up to a real difference.

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